1:1 Communications Coaching for Leaders

Work with Creativity & Storytelling Coach, Jordan Bower

“Jordan pushes me to go entirely new dimensions creatively but always returns me to Earth to take practical steps forward. Perhaps more unique, Jordan knows when to push me and when to let me find my own way. These gifts of his, over time, have created a very special kind of trust.”

Matt Landau, Entrepreneur and Thought Leader

A Quick Intro to Jordan Bower, Storytelling Coach for Leaders

Hi—thanks so much for finding me. I am a very unique coach, consultant, facilitator and subject matter expert who has been working in the field of leadership storytelling for nearly 15 years. I have worked with nearly 200 businesses, often training their leaders and teams on how they can be better storytellers. And I have worked 1:1 with many clients including C-Suite executives, high-potential leaders, entrepreneurs, content creators, political figures, and even a sitting US Congressman.

I am effusive, earnest, helpful, creative and deep. In short, I know my subject matter excellently—and I love sharing what I know about storytelling with others.

This genuine passion is what inspires my work as a storytelling coach. You’ll get what I mean once we talk. 😝

Why Hire a Leadership Storytelling Coach?

If you’ve found this page, you probably want to improve some aspect of your communication. And because you Googled “storytelling coach”, you probably like the idea of focusing on improving your storytelling.

You’ve probably met or been exposed to great storytelling before, so you know that effective storytelling is about conveying a message and connecting with an audience. And, because, you’ve specifically sought out a leadership storytelling coach, you’re probably thinking about how you can apply these skills in a professional or leadership context—for example, in your presentations, pitches, writing, storytelling with data, or another way that you communicate professionally.

Maybe you’re even thinking about how storytelling can enliven your speech, your book, your brand, your thought leadership, or your content creation.

If anything in the paragraphs above applies to you, let me say—you’re in the right place.

I offer an integrated and very unique approach to storytelling coaching that combines elements of executive coaching, life coaching, and individual creative development. Rather than focusing solely on just “how” to tell a story, my approach dives into the complex question of what types of stories should you tell and how.

To answer this question, we take a whole-person approach, recognizing that the professional and practical elements of communication are inextricably intertwined with who you are as person. Said differently, my role as a storytelling coach is to help you connect with the leadership storyteller that you already have inside of you.

I see it as my job to help you express yourself—on your own terms, with your own language—and to guide you as you apply your insights into your specific professional or leadership environment.

Storytelling Coaching is smart, personalized, and holistic

Whether you are an executive trying to win buy-in, a founder selling a dream, a thought leader making your ideas accessible, or an individual with a great story that’s searching for an audience, your impact as a communicator goes far beyond the words. Sure, in communication, the language that we use is part of the puzzle. But just as important is the intention, meaning, tone, voice, etc. that is behind the message.

It’s the combination of these two elements—structural and emotional—that makes a message resonate.

Yes, I’ve just said the “e” word. Communicating on emotional terms is the essence of storytelling. The “goal” of storytelling is to express factual or conceptual ideas in emotional “terminology.” That’s true, no matter whether we’re listening to a speech, engaging with a website, or watching the latest streaming series on Netflix.

The concept of emotional terminology can be very jarring at first for head-first communicators, who naturally gravitate towards structures and theory—often at the expense of the more human element. Many of my coaching clients are hyper smart and accomplished “technical” leaders, who have achieved some degree of success in fields like business or leadership specifically because you have prioritized your analytical problem solving—often at the expense of your intuition or emotional intelligence.

For example, I have worked with many C-Suite executives, engineers, and business professionals who have been trained in the lingua franca of business. Many of my clients come to me laser-focused on low-hanging fruit. They think that “emotional terminology” means, basically, being happy, angry or crying. It can be revelatory to realize that emotionality is not just a label but a way of experiencing the world—and that, from emotionality comes greater creativity and the ability to engage an audience through storytelling.

This is why my work as a storytelling coach is in the borderlands of the personal and the professional. And this is why storytelling can not be taught by theory alone. Sure, I do make it a point to help my clients learn frameworks and conceptual ideas through familiar learning and development tools like exercises, practice, video review, articles, etc. But as I have said, this is just one piece of the puzzle.

The true value I bring as a coach is in my ability to listen to you almost like a piano tuner. With exceptional skill and precision, I help you focus in on specific and practical elements that are “out of tune”—guiding you to make the adaptations that are required to bring your storytelling into harmony.

Forgive me for speaking in metaphor, but this skill is invariably the most beneficial outcome you’ll get from the process. I am remarkably good at helping you identify and uncover the underlying roadblocks that are interfering with your communication. My work surfaces what’s most important and provides you with actionable next steps that will, slowly but dependably, guide you through a self-directed process of learning and transformation.

As a coach, I walk alongside you as you address the inevitable challenges that are part of every transformation process, including issues related to confidence, self-doubt, fear of change, or any other emotional or mental blocks that may prevent you from moving forward.

Our focus is not just to “teach” you storytelling, but to guide you to step into a new narrative as a leader—one where your improved leadership skills can be employed to help you tell an elevated and more creative kind of story.

Everyone and their journeys are unique—I would love to discuss your particular desire, and how I might be able to help you.

What You Can Expect Working with Jordan Bower, Storytelling Coach

A tailored, trusted and collaborative coaching relationship

I help you achieve the goals you set for yourself.

I aim to create a trusting, safe container where you can experiment with learning new skills—and have your current thinking and habits challenged appropriately. I can be a cheerleader, a subject matter expert, an outside perspective, a trusted supporter, a provocateur, and many other roles. I love what I do!

I lead you into change—and then walk beside you as you direct the process yourself.

My skillful coaching approach helps you interrupt old patterns and guides you as you implement new and innovative ideas. I’ll be there through every step of your transformational journey.

We’ll work together collaboratively and creatively.

I will create a tailored change experience that will help you develop your own leadership storytelling voice and style, rather than working through pre-defined modules. Our coaching sessions are fun, creative and playful opportunities for mentorship and connection which will help you build your storytelling skill and creative confidence.

We work as partners on your creative and leadership projects

Many of my clients come to me with a specific communications “project” in mind.

Some examples include:

  • A presentations, pitch or a speech

  • A strategic narrative, like how to talk about your brand, culture, or North Star vision as a company or leader

  • How to work through challenging and emotional conversations in a leadership role

  • How to get people to buy-in to change—whether that means external customers or internal stakeholders

  • How to frame their project or company to maximize fundraising or investment

Beyond these projects, many other clients come to work on specific communications or storytelling skills, like getting lost in the weeds, being more confident, overcoming stage fright, creating effective narrative arcs, and so on.

Rather than teach you “how” to do this, I walk alongside you as a partner, guiding you as you develop these projects and skills.

Think about it in athletic terms—if you wanted to learn how to shoot a basketball, you don’t watch a bunch of YouTube videos—you have someone beside you in the gym, guiding you as you build strength and make micro-adjustments that will lead to results.

Often, that means discussing topics like I’ve listed above directly. This becomes the “curriculum” of your sessions.

I don’t lead you through a pre-established series of modules that will teach you theoretically how to be a storytelling. I do provide subject matter expertise and specific, tangible skill building resources and exercises along the way—I suggest these tools based on my assessment of what I determine you need now.

This tailored approach is derived from a synergistic relationship between us. In other words, I don’t see myself as a teacher-mentor and you as my student-mentee. I do see our coaching relationship as being built on a foundation of authenticity, mutual respect, and creative expression.

My experience has shown me that this authenticity in approach is essential for a generative creative relationship. My highest hope is that you see me as an integral part of your creative team—always there for your when you need help in your communciation.

“Jordan knows his stuff inside and out, and he communicates it wonderfully.”

Workshop Attendee, Canadian Tire Triangle Leadership Academy

What I Bring to the Storytelling Coaching Process

Beyond my specific subject matter expertise and long experience in this field, the most important element that I bring to my coaching practice is my own personal experience of my own transformational and healing journeys.

Let me dwell on this for a moment. I take it as fundamental that only people who have moved through change themselves can help other people change. Otherwise, it’s all theory and no action—it’s all head and no heart and soul.

I will not bore you now with the particular story of my transformation, though I am happy to share it with you if you find it relevant. What I do want to say is that my life and professional experiences have taught me that transformation is ongoing.

In other words, change is not just something we go through once, but a movement that we can experience again and again. I think that my attitude to change is very different from many others in my field, many of whom still believe that change happens once—wham, bam, thank you, and after that, it’s all happily ever after. Thankfully, I see that this attitude is changing, as more people in the business world come to terms with agility and the continuous nature of change. My work is based on the knowing that it’s essential for us as leaders to embrace this ongoing nature of transformation ourselves.

Personally, when I look back at my life, I see not just one but many change journeys, nested within one another, rather than just one cut and dry Hero’s Journey. I think this perspective is very unique—and it is in many ways the foundation to my coaching practice.

Over my career development, I have supplemented my education with many supporting practices and exploration that have buttressed my ability to connect, be present, and be creative. I will be happy to explain more about how these work with you, should you find it relevant. However, more important than how I do what I do is that it works.

Types of Clients I Work With

I have provided coaching to:

  • a woman aspiring to become the first female mayor of a major Midwestern city

  • a recently elected Congressman trying to channel his inner President

  • the Chief Product Officer of a unicorn tech start-up, searching for his next challenge

  • a mid-level Director at a massive automotive company accelerating his career

  • a CEO girl-boss looking for the right balance about what she wants to share

  • a recently promoted CFO trying to figure out how to be smart and relatable

In general, my clients have included:

  • CEOs and senior executives

  • Founders, writers, coaches, and consultants

  • High-potential leaders

  • Speakers, creatives, artists, and organizers

  • People in transition

Signs You Might Be Ready to Work Together:

These thoughts may be signals that a deeper shift is calling, inviting you to slow down, reconnect, and realign your life with what truly matters.

  • “I’m going through the motions.”

  • “My life no longer aligns with my values.”

  • “How the hell did I get here?”

  • “I’ve reached the peak, is this all there is?”

  • “I no longer feel like myself.”

  • “What I’m doing isn’t working anymore.”

  • “I’m ready to create but not sure what.”

  • “I want to spend more time with my kids and partner.”

  • “Who am I beyond my working identity?

  • “I’m burnt out and tired. I can’t keep going.”

  • “I lost my motivation and ambition. How do I get it back?”

  • “I’m ready for my next challenge.”

  • “I want to slow down but can’t.”

How Your Engagement Can Begin:

  • Start with 6x 60-min sessions, scheduled about once a week

  • Afterwards, let’s work together on your cadence:

    • Weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly

    • Intensively around a specific project, when you need me

The cost of my 6-call introductory package is $2,500.

If you’re unhappy after one session, I’ll give you your money back.

What to Expect From Your Coaching Journey

Initial engagements begin with 6 sessions. This gives us enough time together to get into the subject matter—and to help you realize some degree of change.

Generally, these sessions are scheduled once ever week or so. After about 6-8 weeks, you can expect to have:

  • a shift in perspective about what’s behind effective communication/leadership storytelling

  • a new understanding about underlying obstacles that are interfering with your personal communication as a leader

  • specific and individualized guidance about how you can improve by overcoming these obstacles, as applied to real communication situations or contexts you’re working on now

  • additional learning, resources, videos, articles, books, etc. that can help you along your personal journey towards better storytelling

  • a clear and concrete action plan about how you can build upon your learning, whether we continue working together or not

Many of my clients continue to work with me after their initial engagement:

  1. On a regular schedule: Some clients like to meet weekly, bi-weekly, or quarterly, based on your budget and goals

  2. On short, intense bursts: Other clients like to engage me when they need help around a specific project, speech or deadline.

  3. As an extension to their team: I love these long-lasting relationships. Some clients have even embedded me into their Slack or Teams, so I can provide subject matter expertise and immediate guidance—almost like I’m a storyteller-in-residence.

How You Can Apply What You’ll Learn

Improving how we communicate can have wide-ranging applications. Some more business-y applications can include:

  • Developing strategic narrative arcs

  • Elevating the impact of data

  • Developing content ideas

  • Improving your understanding of your audience

  • Visual storytelling and online communications tools

  • Thought leadership storytelling

  • Personal and professional branding

Beyond these outputs, many clients report feeling more engaged, inspired, and clear. They are more confident, creative, and they can move more effectively towards what they really wanted, rather than being limited by external expectations.

Ultimately, I am walking beside you on your own unique journey of change. This individuality is what I love most about being a storytelling coach for leaders.

Specific Examples of My Business Storytelling Expertise

Finding the Emotional Narrative for a Political Speech

I worked with Mary Sheffield to help her find her personal narrative for the speech announcing her candidacy for Mayor of the city of Detroit. Starting with a list of bullet points, we found the narrative, developed it, and practiced it in the days leading up to the speech—so that Mary could feel confident and authentic in her delivery.

Developing the Structure and Narrative for a professional retreat

Matt Landau, a leader in the Vacation Rental industry, came to me with plans to host a professional development retreat for a cross-section of leaders from different companies in his industry. Starting with a sketch of an idea, I helped Matt find the core message for his Keystone Retreat—and devise a programming structure that would best express it.

Facilitating a transformation in business model

After working with me on the above, I guided Matt Landau through a more robust transformation of his business model. He has progressively embraced the idea of retreat design and development, ultimately rebranding as he pursued new endeavors. I have helped guide Matt through the process—finding the vision, designing the narrative, productizing it and putting it into action.

Delivering my own thought leadership speeches

I’ve been talking about storytelling in business for a long time, across a variety of platforms—from writing and social media to on stage. Here’s a little taste of me onstage in a professional setting.

What I Do at a Glance as a Storytelling Consultant

From intensive change journeys to full-day workshops to one-hour keynotes, my work often bleeds over from individual engagements to broader organizational change efforts. I’m happy to discuss this with you when/if approproriate.

Change Journeys

Redefine narratives around strategy, purpose, culture, sales and product to engender the adaptive and dynamic organization of the future. Start by backcasting a new vision, then identify roadblocks to change, and support your team through new systems, mindsets, and habits.

Storytelling Workshops

Get change started through catalytic team workshops that build skills in business and leadership storytelling. Find novel, more effective ways of getting your message heard and leading your audience to a call-to-action—no matter whether you communicate with external or internal stakeholders.

Keynote Speeches

Bring in Jordan to enlighten and inspire people at your conference or event. With a unique perspective, deep industry experience, and a storytelling-informed communication-style, Jordan will help your attendees shift your perspective and level up your creative vision.

Jordan Bower has coached storytelling for leaders at nearly 200 companies including:

FAQs

  • There are no long-term contracts, obligations, or large upfront payments. All I ask for is a mental and energetic commitment of at least 6 session—or about 6-8 weeks.

    Most clients start to see the effects of our sessions within the first month, but your long-term progress is going to naturally depend on your commitment and attitude.

    My hope is for a successful long-term relationship with all my clients. I approach every coaching session with the attitude that we will work together for years.

  • Storytelling coaching is just a piece of what I do. As a result, my coaching practice fluctuates—sometimes, I have 5 or 6 clients, sometimes it’s just 1 or 2.

    I’m purposefully keeping my practice small so I can create individual connections with everyone. What I’m looking for is individual fit, rather than a sales process.

    Basically, I want to work with people who will benefit from the process—and who want to embrace the fun and creativity that goes with a coaching relationship.

  • I believe that we are all naturally storytellers, and that effective communication is about helping you get the truth out—rather than teaching you a one-sized fits all or templated approach.

    In communication, context and relationships matter. While I draw on frameworks, practices and other resources when necessary, my entire approach is helping you develop your own inherent wisdom—and working with you as you sniff out your personal path forward.

  • Coaching sessions are scheduled for an hour, but sometimes go longer depending on your objectives and how much we're able to achieve in the allotted time.

  • My typical schedule is weekdays from 10am PT to 4pm PT. I am often flexible to work with clients in different time zones. I will help you make a time that works.

  • Almost everywhere! I have coached clients throughout Europe, the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast, South and East Asia, and Australia—as well as many clients based in Canada and the United States.

    I only coach in English—that’s my sole limitation.

Let’s start a conversation!

I will reply to you personally.